As I write the final trestleboard of my year, I wish to take the opportunity to thank each of you for allowing me the privilege of serving as worshipful Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge. Because of you, the memory of the year 1976 will hold a special place in my heart. This year I have truly come to understand how great an influence Freemasonry has on our lives, as well as tne lives around us. Some have called our Fraternity "The Sleeping Giant"; to the contrary, I have found Freemasonry to be wide awake. To some it will seem on the surface that our Fraternity has no place in the world of today; but I have seen the great undercurrent of brotherly love and affection that continues to surge through our Fraternity. Every week I have seen Masons helping one another. Every where I have looked, I have seen the charity that char- acterizes Freemasonry.
In the everyday business of the Lodge, the Brethren see the Worshipful Master and Officers at work. As Worshipful Master I have seen the Brethren of our Lodge who have never desired to go into the line but are ever ready to help in any way they can. Whenever I asked for assistance from my Brethren I received far more help than I requested. Many of our Brethren have been a constant help throughout the year and I thank them especially, for without their help, nothing would have been possible. To all the Brethren of Alexandria-Washington Lodge I will always be grateful.
The election of Officers for 1977 will take place on St. John's Night, December 27, 1976 and installation will be the following night. December 28, 1976 at 7:30 PM in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Auditorium. The installation will be open to the public. I encourage you to invite your friends and relatives. I especially urge to to bring your family to see this very impressive ceremony.
Sincerely and fraternally,
James B. Stone
Worshipful Master
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 12/02/1976 | 7:00 pm | Called, FC Degree |
| Mon 12/06/1976 | 7:00 pm | Called, EA Degrees & Exam |
| Wed 12/08/1976 | 7:30 pm | District School, Macon-Ware Lodge No. 192. All Brethren urged to attend |
| Thu 12/09/1976 | 7:30 pm | Stated, Past Masters' Night |
| Tue 12/14/1976 | 9:00 am | Wreath Laying at the Tomb at Mount Vernon. Commemoration of George Washington's Death |
| Mon 12/20/1976 | 7:00 pm | Called, FC Exam & MM Degree |
| Thu 12/23/1976 | 7:30 pm | Stated, Memorial Service |
| Mon 12/27/1976 | 7:30 pm | Stated, Reports & 1977 Election of Officers |
| Tue 12/28/1976 | 7:30 pm | Installation of Officers for 1977 |
December 27, 1926 - "Wor. Bro. Shinn presented the following resolution an moved its adoption and it was adopted as follows; Whereas, during the long and distinguished professional career of Wor. Bro. Dr. William Morgan Smith, deceased, a Past Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, gave ungrudgingly and at personal sacrifice his time and exceptional talent to the relief of distressed and suffering humanity and whereas, as President of the State Board of Health and Field Secretary of the Tubercular department of the board, he devoted his efforts with eminent success to increasing the facilities and enlarging the scope of scientific treatment of tuberculosis in our state, therefore be it resolved, that the Bum of Twenty-Five Hundred Dollars or as much thereof as may be necessary, be appropriated from any funds or intangible assetts of Alexandria-Washington Lodge to fully equip, according to the most approved scientific principles, The Alpine Light Room in the Masonic pavillion being built at Blue Ridge Sanitorium."
December 12, 1876 - (copy in the minute book of a letter sent to St. Johns Lodge No. 36 in Richmond, Va.) "Walter Moore, Esq., Secretary, St. Johns Lodge No. 36. A.F.&A.M., Dear Brother; I have been instructed by the brethren of Alex-Wash Lodge No. 22 to tender their heart felt sympathy to St. Johns Lodge upon the occasion of the death of their beloved brother, Wor. John Dove, whose intimate acquaintance with the mysteries of our order rendered him distinguished in the Masonic world and entitled him to the veneration and respect of all masons who have enjoyed the benefit of his labors in the cause to which he had devoted so many years of his life.
The many virtues which adorned the character of the deceased brother found their crowning glory in the ready obediance to the summons of his Divine Master and his joyful departure, cheered by the hope of a glorious imortality, to unite with his redeemed brethren in singing praises to the Grand Master of the Universe......."
December 14, 1826 - "This being the night for the election of the Officers for the ensuing year, on balloting the following brethren were duly elected, viz; Charles Chapin, W.M.; Joseph Eaches, S.W.; A.P. Gilpin, J.W.; John Dunlap, Sect.; Chas. T. Chapman, Treas.; R.C. Woods, Tyler, The Master-Elect appointed James Cloud and George Smoot Deacons and Presley Jacobs and Robt. Conway Stewards."
D.M.R.